Computationally efficient means for optimal control with control constraints

ABSTRACT

A method and system that reduces undesired vibration in a vehicle measures ambient vibration and generates a first command signal based upon said vibration measured in said step a. If a first component of the first command signal exceeds a maximum allowable, the first component of the first command signal must be constrained. A residual vibration resulting from the constraint of the first component is then calculated. A second command signal to compensate for said residual vibration is then calculated. Force generators are then activated based upon the constrained first component and the second command signal in order to reduce the vibration.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/271,792, Filed Feb. 27, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to optimal control of a system. More particularly, this invention relates to active vibration and active sound control systems for the interior of helicopters.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] Conventional active control systems consist of a number of sensors that measure the ambient variables of interest (e.g. sound or vibration), a number of actuators capable of generating an effect on these variables (e.g. by producing sound or vibration), and a computer which processes the information received from the sensors and sends commands to the actuators so as to reduce the amplitude of the sensor signals. The control algorithm is the scheme by which the decisions are made as to what commands to the actuators are appropriate.

[0006] A problem may arise in such a control scheme when the control decision yields a command that exceeds the physical capabilities of the system, for example, if the command to an actuator exceeds the actuator's physical limits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention constrains commands in a computationally efficient manner while eliminating performance penalties. In the present invention, the control algorithm generates a first command signal. If that first command signal includes a k_(th) component (for the k_(th) actuator) that exceeds a maximum allowable value, that component is scaled to or below the maximum allowable value. An anticipated residual vibration is then calculated based upon the change in the k_(th) component. A second command signal is then generated to try to compensate for the residual vibration (ignoring the k_(th) actuator, which is already at or near the maximum allowable signal). The first command signal (with the scaled k_(th) component) and the second command signal (with a zero component for the k_(th) actuator) are summed to yield a third command signal, the components of which may again be compared to the maximum allowable values, and the method performed iteratively before actually sending the command signal to the actuators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the noise control system of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 shows a vehicle in which the present invention may be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Active vibration and sound control systems consist of a number of sensors which measure ambient vibration (or sound), actuators capable of generating vibration (or sound) at the sensor locations, and a computer which process information received from the sensors and sends commands to the actuators which generate a vibration (or sound) field to cancel ambient vibration (generated, for example by a disturbing force at the helicopter rotor). The controller algorithm is the scheme by which the decisions are made as to what the appropriate commands to the actuators are.

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram 10 of an active control system. The system comprises a structure 102, the response of which is to be controlled, sensors 128, filter 112, control unit 106 and force generators (also referred to as actuators) 104. A vibration or sound source 103 produces undesired response of the structure 102. In a helicopter, for example, the undesired disturbances are typically due to vibratory aerodynamic loading of rotor blades, gear clash, or other source of vibrational noise. A plurality of sensors 128(a) . . . (n) (where n is any suitable number) measure the ambient variables of interest (e.g. sound or vibration). The sensors (generally 128) are typically microphones or accelerometers. Sensors 128 generate an electrical signal that corresponds to sensed sound or vibration. The electrical signals are transmitted to filter 112 via an associated interconnector 144(a) . . . (n) (generally 144). Interconnector 144 is typically wires or wireless transmission means, as known to those skilled in the art.

[0012] Filter 112 receives the sensed vibration signals from sensors 128 and performs filtering on the signals, eliminating information that is not relevant to vibration or sound control. The output from the filter 112 is transmitted to control unit 106 via interconnector 142. The control circuit 106 generates control signals that control force generators 104(a) . . . (n).

[0013] A plurality of force generators 104(a) . . . (n) (where n is any suitable number) are used to generate a force capable of affecting the sensed variables (e.g. by producing sound or vibration). Force generators 104(a) . . . (n) (generally 104) are typically speakers, shakers, or virtually any suitable actuators. Force generators 104 receive commands from the control unit 106 via interconnector 134 and output a force, as shown by lines 132(a) . . . (n) to compensate for the sensed vibration or sound produced by vibration or sound source 102.

[0014] The control unit 106 is typically a processing module with computing capabilities. Control unit 106 stores control algorithms control memory 105, or other suitable memory location. Memory module 105 is, for example, RAM, ROM, DVD, CD, a hard drive, or other electronic, optical, magnetic, or any other computer readable medium onto which is stored the control algorithms described herein. The control algorithms are the scheme by which the decisions are made as to what commands to the actuators 104 are appropriate. Control circuit 106 is, for example, a microprocessor.

[0015] Measurements of ambient vibration level at a given moment may be assembled in a vector of dimension N_(sensors)×1, designated z. The commands to the actuators may likewise be assembled in a vector of dimension N_(actuators)×1, designate u. The relationship between a change in actuator commands and the resulting change in sensor measurements may be expressed as the matrix equation Δz=TΔu, where T is a matrix of dimension N_(sensors)×N_(actuators). The values of the elements of T are determined by the physical characteristics of the structure, for example: T₁₁ is the response at sensor #1 due to unit command at actuator #1, T₁₂ is the response at sensor #1 due to a unit command at actuator #2, etc. Many algorithms may be used for making control decisions based on this model. One such algorithm seeks to minimize the scalar performance index given by:

J _(cost) =z ^(T) W _(z) z+u ^(T) W _(u) u+Δu ^(T) W _(Δu) Δu

[0016] where

[0017] W_(z) is a diagonal weighting matrix of sensor measurements;

[0018] W_(u) is a diagonal weighting matrix which constrains control inputs;

[0019] W_(Δu) is a diagonal weighting matrix which constrains rate of change of control inputs;

[0020] and T designates the transpose of a vector or matrix.

[0021] With this objective, the control decision for the i^(th) step takes the form

Δu _(i=) D[W _(u) u _(i−1) +T ^(T) W _(z)(z _(i−1))]

[0022] where

D=−(T ^(T) W _(z) T+W _(u) +W _(Δu))⁻¹  Equation (1)

[0023] and ⁻¹ indicates a matrix inversion.

[0024] A problem may arise in such a control scheme when the control decision yields a command that exceeds the physical capabilities of the system, for example, if the command to a force generating actuator exceeds the actuator's physical limits. The strategy for imposing constraints on the commands can dramatically affect control system performance.

[0025] One such strategy is to impose command constraints by scaling the commands to actuators by a constant which reduced the maximum command component to the maximum allowable. In other words, if a component of u_(i) is greater than maximum allowable then setting u_(i)=K u_(i) where K is selected so that the largest component of u_(i) is equal to the maximum allowable. While this approach was computationally efficient, it often results in a precipitous drop in system performance when constraints are imposed.

[0026] Another way in which command constraints may be imposed is by increasing the value of W_(u,) which increases the cost of commands in the performance index, and consequently drives down the command amplitudes. The problem with this approach is that when W_(u) is selected to keep commands within constraints during demanding operating conditions performance is degraded during less demanding operating conditions by unnecessarily suppressing command amplitude.

[0027] Compared to the first method, the performance of the vibration control system is much better for conditions requiring high actuator output, but much worse for conditions requiring lower actuator output, because the increased value of W_(u) unnecessarily constrains the actuator commands. An approach to overcoming this problem is to allow W_(u) to vary based on command levels, though this introduces additional complexity associated with stability of the control system used to schedule variation of W_(u).

[0028] The present invention provides a means for constraining commands in a computationally efficient manner while eliminating performance penalties.

[0029] The controller algorithm is modified to do the following:

[0030] The change in command is calculated as before in accordance with:

Δu _(i) =D(W _(u) u _(i−1) +T ^(T) W _(z)(z _(i−1))).

[0031] Before sending the command to the actuators, the magnitudes of the components of the resulting command u_(i)=Δu_(i)+u_(i−1) are calculated and the component with maximum amplitude is identified. If that component for example, the kth component u_(i,k) is greater than the maximum allowable, then that component is scaled by a constant to reduce its amplitude to the maximum allowable (u_(1,k))_(new)=Cu_(i,k), where C=|(u_(i))_(k)|/U_(max), and the change in the kth component in the command is calculated Δu_(i,k)=(u_(i,k))_(new)−u_(i−1,k). The response to this component of the command is then calculated by:

(z _(i−1))_(new)=(z _(i−1))+T Δu _(i,k).

[0032] This quantity, (z_(i−1))_(new), is the residual vibration which remains after the constrained control component alone is applied to the system. Now a new controller weighting matrix W_(u,new) is created which is identical to W_(u) except that the element associated with weighting the constrained control component, W_(u,new,k,k)=W_(u,k,k)+A where A is a very large number. By modifying W_(u,new) in this way, the participation of the kth control component is suppressed in attacking this residual vibration. A new command change is calculated with

D _(new)=−(T ^(T) W _(z) T+W _(u,new) +W _(Δu))⁻¹  Equation (2)

[0033] and

Δu _(1,new) =D _(new)(W _(u,new) u _(i−1) +T ^(T) W _(z)(z _(i−1))_(new)).

[0034] The kth component of Δu_(1,new) will be 0 because of increased value of W_(u,new,k,k). Finally, the command to be sent to the actuators is constructed:

Δu _(1,to actuators) =Δu _(1,new) +Δu _(1,k).

[0035] The procedure can be applied iteratively in case another component of Δu_(i,to actuators) exceeds maximum allowable command amplitude. Compared to the previous methods, performance is very good at both high and low speed.

[0036] The procedure can be rendered computationally efficient if the matrix inversion in Equation (2) can be eliminated. Noting that matrix which is inverted in Equation (1) differs only in one element from the matrix inverted in Equation (2) (the k,k element), and the elements of D_(new) can be determined without matrix inversion using the relationship:

D _(new 1,m) =D _(1,m) −A D _(1,k) D _(k,m)/(1+A D _(k,k))

[0037] where W_(u,new k,k)=W_(u k,k)+A.

[0038]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view 20 of a vehicle 118 in which the present invention can be used. Vehicle 118, which is typically a helicopter, has rotor blades 119 (a) . . . (d). Gearbox housing 110 is mounted at an upper portion of vehicle 118. Gearbox mounting feet 140(a) . . . (c) (generally 140) provide a mechanism for affixing gearbox housing 110 to vehicle airframe 142. Sensors 128(a) through (d) (generally 128) are used to sense vibration or sound produced by the vehicle, which can be from the rotorblades 119 or the gearbox housing 110. Although only four sensors are shown, there are typically any suitable number of sensors necessary to provide sufficient feedback to the controller (not shown). The sensors 128 may be mounted in the vehicle cabin, on the gearbox mounting feet 140, or to the airframe 142, or to another location on the vehicle 118 that enables vehicle vibrations or acoustic sound to be sensed. Sensors 128 are typically microphones or accelerometers. These sensors generate electrical signals (voltages) that are proportional to the local sound or vibration.

[0039] The present invention has been described in detail by way of examples and illustrations for purposes of clarity and understanding, and not to in any way limit the scope of what is claimed. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Alphanumeric identifiers for steps in the method claims are for ease of reference by dependent claims, and do not indicate a required sequence, unless otherwise indicated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for reducing sensed physical variables comprising: a) sensing a plurality of physical variables; b) generating a first sensed signal as a function of the sensed physical variables; c) generating a first control command signal as a function of the first sensed signal; d) constraining a k_(th) component of the first control command signal; e) calculating a residual resulting from the application of the constrained k_(th) component; f) generating a second control command signal in response to the residual; and g) generating a compensating force as a function of the constrained k_(th) component and the second control command signal.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step d) further includes the steps of: comparing components, including the k_(th) component, to a maximum threshold; and scaling the k_(th) component by a constant based upon the k_(th) component exceeding the maximum threshold.
 3. The method according to claim 2 further including the steps of: generating the constrained k_(th) component (u_(i,k))_(new) in said step d), where (u_(1,k))_(new)=Cu_(i,k) and C=|(u_(i))_(k)|/U_(max), and U_(max) is the maximum threshold; calculating a change in the k_(th) component in the control command signals as a function of Δu_(i,k)=(ui_(,k,))_(new)−u_(i−1,k); and calculating the residual as a function of: (z _(i−1))_(new)=(z _(i−1))+T Δu _(1,k).
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: generating a controller weighting matrix; generating a constrained control component (W_(u,new k,k)) as a function of: W _(u,new k,k) =W _(u k,k) +A,  where A is a constant that greatly exceeds the magnitude of W_(u k,k).
 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: calculating a new command change (Δu_(1,new)) as a function of Δu _(i,new) =D _(new)(W _(u,new) u _(i−1) +T ^(T) W _(z)(Z _(i−1))_(new)) and where: D _(new)=−(T ^(T) W _(z) T+W _(u,new) +W _(Δu))⁻¹
 6. A method for actively controlling vibration including the steps of: a. measuring ambient vibration; b. generating a first command signal based upon said vibration measured in said step a; c. constraining a first component of the first command signal; d. determining a residual vibration resulting from the constraint of the first component; e. generating a second command signal based upon said residual vibration.
 7. The method of claim 6 further including the steps of: f. activating a plurality of force generators based upon said constrained first component and said second command signal.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step c. further includes the step of comparing said first component of the first command signal to a maximum allowable command signal.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said step c. further includes the step of reducing the first component to the maximum allowable command signal.
 10. An active control system comprising: A plurality of sensors for measuring ambient vibration; A control unit generating a first command signal based upon said vibration measured by said plurality of sensors, constraining a first component of the first command signal, determining a residual vibration resulting from the constraint of the first component and generating a second command signal based upon said residual vibration; A plurality of force generators activated based upon said first command signal, said second command signal and said constrained first component.
 11. The active control system of claim 10 wherein the control unit compares said first component of said first command signal to a maximum allowable command signal.
 12. The active control system of claim 12 wherein the control unit reduces the first component to not exceed the maximum allowable command signal.
 13. A computer readable medium storing a computer program, which when executed by a computer performs the steps of: a. generating a first command signal based upon measured vibration; b. constraining a first component of the first command signal; c. determining a residual vibration resulting from the constraint of the first component; d. generating a second command signal based upon said residual vibration.
 14. The computer readable medium of claim 13 which when executed by a computer further performs the steps of: e. activating a plurality of force generators based upon said first command signal, said constrained first component and said second command signal.
 15. The computer readable medium of claim 13 which when executed by a computer said step b. further includes the step of comparing said first component of the first command signal to a maximum allowable command signal.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein said step c. further includes the step of reducing the first component to the maximum allowable command signal. 